People & Places

Best Public Works Project St. Louis 2006 - Anne Moore

Even as the Grand South Grand business district underwent a renaissance over the past decade, the thoroughfare that led into it remained, frankly, crappy. But the dividends of Tower Grove East resident Anne Moore's efforts since 1997 are finally paying off. Moore helped the neighborhood secure $1.5 million in federal grant money, matching funds from the city and donations from area businesses such as Commerce Bank to rebuild and beautify the decrepit and dangerous medians between Interstate 44 and Arsenal Street. In the spring of 2004, Moore's team of more than 200 volunteers began giving up their Saturday mornings to bed flowers and plants in the medians. The result is phenomenal. ("Even the guys who are out there panhandling love it," says Moore. "They're very respectful. They try not to step on stuff.") The project has at last entered its maintenance phase, with Moore trying to persuade local businesses to "adopt" stretches of the medians and keep them up. For the time being, Moore continues to go out several times a week to tend her magnificent garden.